From time to time, the Statewide Library Electronic Doorway (SLED) does trials of new databases, giving you access to fantastic resources and information. Some of these trials are expiring on June 30th – be sure to check them out before they’re gone!

Access all databases through the SLED website, here: https://lam.alaska.gov/databases/a_z

Here’s a list of the trials expiring at the end of June:

• Access Video on Demand
• African-American History
• American History
• American Indian History
• Ancient & Medieval History
• Bloom’s Literature
• Issues & Controversies
• Mailbox School & District Edition
• Mid/High School eBook Subscription Collection
• Modern World History
• Polling the Nations
• Science Online
• Source Reference
• Today’s Science
• World Almanac
• World Almanac for Kids
• World Almanac for Kids Elementary
• World News Digest
• Writer’s Reference Center

These trials will expire at the end of August:

• Audio Book Cloud
• Romance Book Cloud
• Teen Book Cloud
• Tumble Math

Did you know that the library has lots of useful guides that can help with your research at home?

These guides cover all kinds of topics, including how-tos (e.g. how to choose keywords for your search) and guides on doing research in a particular subject area (e.g. chemistry).

The subject guides are a great starting point if you’re just starting on your research and need to get pointed in the right direction. Subject guides will identify databases that include publications in your subject, link to other guides that might be helpful, and include the contact information for the librarian who is an expert in your subject.

If you ever find that you need a little more help, you can use that contact information on the subject guide page to get in touch with that subject’s librarian to make an appointment (a great option if you’re doing an in-depth project) or you can reach out to one of our virtual reference librarians with your question by email, text, chat, or phone – more info here!

As always, if you have questions about access to the library and what services are available, you can find up-to-date information at our Library Services: COVID-19 guide.

You may have heard the governor is easing restrictions, and Anchorage is slowly starting to open back up. Libraries across the state are looking at how they can safely reopen. But what does this mean on the UAA campus?

Currently the UAA campus is still in Phase A, the most restrictive phase. Students and staff can still enter the library from the north and south entrances (the entrance from the Social Sciences Building is still closed). Wolf cards must be swiped at the doors for entrance. Social distancing practices are in place and staff are working hard to keep the building clean and safe for those using the library.

The library is still physically closed to the public, however our reference team can still help the public with certain research questions as needed.

Reference librarians can be reached via email, phone, online chat, and text Monday through Thursday 10 am to 7 pm, Friday 10 am to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5 pm.  For our contact information, or to make an appointment, visit https://ask.consortiumlibrary.org/ .

For updates on the current UAA campus status, and details about each status, visit https://sites.google.com/alaska.edu/coronavirus/

Have you checked out the Statewide Library Electronic Doorway, SLED website lately?

SLED now hosts a COVID-19 Resource List, with information on the pandemic from vetted sources, and community and government resources to help those struggling during these difficult times.

SLED also has new limited-time digital content from EBSCO and Tumblebooks.

Explore these new resources at https://lam.alaska.gov/sled

You’ve probably heard that the library remains open to student use during the COVID-19 pandemic, but did you know there are certain services you can use to stay safe?

• Don’t come in unnecessarily

Need a book from the library but don’t want to come in without knowing you can have it for sure? You can tell if the book you want is still in the library by doing a search at consortiumlibrary.org. Once you find your item in the list of results, click on it.

As you can see by the red arrows, there are two key pieces of information. First, you can see which library the book is available at under the “Location” column. Your UAA or APU ID will get you into the UAA/APU Consortium Library, so be sure your item is listed there.

Second, you can tell if the item is available on the shelf in the information to the right of the location. If someone else has the item, it will say “Checked Out” with a due date next to it.

If your item is checked out, try searching the Ebooks or Alaska’s Digital Library!

• Have items waiting for you

If the item you want is checked out by someone else, or if you want to be sure it will be waiting for you at the Circulation Desk when you visit, you can place a hold. 

To place a hold, check to see if there’s a “Place Hold” button in the upper right hand corner of the item’s catalog entry. If there is, click on it. It will ask you to provide your UAA ID number and PIN,  and then ask where you want to pick up your item. Make sure it delivers to the UAA/APU Consortium Library. If you don’t know your PIN, contact the Circulation Desk at 786-1871. 

You will receive an email when your item is ready for pick-up. You may then head to the Circulation Desk to check out your item. Don’t forget your ID to get into the building.

Stay healthy, my friends!